The Heist, Part 1
1155 Words
“Alright so here’s how It’s gonna work,” Billy said as he began reiterating the plan to the pals. I watched as they went over the blueprints for the bank as well as the path that the sheriff had told me we’d be taking to transfer the funds to the newest bank.
“You did good kid.”
I smiled at Charlie as he clapped my shoulder. None of them expected such a well-laid out plan, but I knew better. My family taught me the ins and outs, and you get caught when you get sloppy with a plan.
I looked over to the men one more time and bid them well as I climbed up the ladder to the main floor of the house. Inside it was quiet. The fire crackled lightly and I smiled to myself once more.
There was no way that this plan could fail.
A knock on my door struck me from my thoughts.
I wasn't expecting anyone.
Reaching for my colt, I made sure to get it ready the quietest I could as I tip-toed to the door. The knocking got louder and I put one foot partially in front of the door so that I wouldn't have to open it up much. Undoing the heavy brass lock the door creaked open slowly and I breathed a sigh of relief.
"G*d Da**it son, put that thing away," the sheriff all but yelled, "what in the sam's hell are you doing?"
"Wad'nt expectin' no one, Sheriff."
He laughed to himself, "Yeah, I suppose I should have sent message by, but I came to pick ya up. Transfer's ready now."
"NOW?"
"Shh, don't want to wake that wife or sister of yours. It's late, kid."
"Ain't here yet, sir." I laughed, "Just me in this ole' house."
"Well there's some outlaws looking to rob us right blind," the sheriff said quickly, "throwin' em off by doin the transfer off the books and in the middle of the night."
"Smart." I nodded, "I'm gonna grab my boots n get changed and I'll be out."
The sheriff nodded and I closed the door, locking it. Hurrying over to my bedroom I changed into something better to ride in and stomped my boots twice, "Alright boys, the plans been changed. I know ya'll can hear so just listen up pals. Transfer is tonight. After midnight. Sheriff caught wind of something fishy."
I heard two light pounds on the floor and I smiled, "catch ya on the other side, pals."
I walked back out through the house and put the fire out then made my way outside.
"You ready, kid?"
"Yessir."
"Good," he nodded, "you're taking point."
"Me?"
He nodded as we made the way to my barn to grab my horse, "yup. The rest of the old farts I got stuck with won't know a horseshoe from a saddle. I need someone strong out front to ride the route."
Sh*t.
"Yes sir."
He smiled and clapped my shoulder, "good kid."
Together we rode over. Shenango Valley Bank was a few hour ride away, and it wasn't a big bank, but they'd had enough room in their vaults to house the money that came in the past week for the new bank that was gonna be in Driver Valley. I'd already run the route in my head a million times with the boys. It was straight forward enough. I just didn't plan on being the point man. In just about all our plans the point man and the tail were the ones that got shot. I'd planned on the sheriff being the point man because he was the only one with real experience.
The men at the bank finished loading up the carriage and I felt my stomach go to knots. What was I gonna do?
There's no way the men would know I was running point until it was too late.
"You alright kid?" the sheriff asked, "you look a little green in the gills."
"Just never done this before," I laughed, lying to him, "you know, I always wanted to be a deputy when I was younger. I remember me an my friends playing sheriff and outlaws and I'd played this scene in my head a million times...but now it's real."
"It's a lot less action," the man laughed, trying to 'calm my nerves.' "I hear about outlaws planning to rob us right, but never once have I seen one in my path. Hear all those stories up north about The Jesse James Gang, Younger-James, hell even Billy the Kid around these parts, but I've never seen an outlaw."
"Thanks sheriff," I smiled, "that puts my mind at ease."
But it didn't.
Because we do exist.
He'd just never been up close to see one before.
But after tonight he would.
"Alright, lets load up and shove out," the driver for the carriage smiled, "I'm ready to go."
"Y'all heard the man," the sheriff commanded, "kid, you take point. Lead the way. I'll ride the tail with Brennan. Cory and Jesse you take the sides of the coach."
And so we started our journey back.
True to the sheriff's word, I hadn't seen anyone.
Maybe Billy and the pals didn't hear me right. Maybe they were still under the house planning, or getting drunk next to the kegs of gunpowder.
I looked up at the open sky. The stars were bright and the air was clean.
Maybe it was a good thing that Billy and the guys didn't hear me. This could help build some credibility with the sheriff, and maybe the next run would be a bigger one.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice my horse get spooked. Probably by a snake or something, but as he reared up I went forward and my nose smashed against his spine. I felt a sharp pain in my stomach as I was thrown off him. One hand went to my nose to check to see if I was bleeding and the other went to my stomach. Part of the saddle probably dug into my stomach when he reared up.
I was shocked to see both hands come into my line of vision covered in blood.
What?
I looked around, feeling dizzy already. Brennan was racing towards me on his hands and knees. There was hooting and yelling all around. The loud pops of gunfire seemed like echoes in my head.
"Kid. We gotta get outta here. Kid. Sh*t you're bleeding," he yelled above the commotion.
"Brennan?" I asked.
But before he could respond another loud pop occurred and I looked to my left. Charlie had a smoking gun and a wicked smile on his face.
"Which one of you jack*sses shot me?"
And then I fell back. The last thing I remembered was how bright the stars looked under the open sky.
- Writer
